Dorothea Marie Morrow Benson… is a hard act to follow.
Dorothea had many talents and many qualities. To some of us, she exemplified the beauty and style of Susan Sarandon or Grace Kelly. Her musical gifts and bright spirit remind us of Julie Andrews, who she much admired. And her humor and occasional zaniness were straight out of "I Love Lucy," and the "Carol Burnett Show."
Dot, Dotty, or Dorothea, was the center of our small family, and certainly of her husband Willis' life. He often said "how very lucky he was to have married" her.
Her boys worshiped her as well, and grew up under her loving care. She nursed them through their "skinned knee" childhood, and helped mend their "broken hearts" with kind words and freshly baked, chocolate chip cookies.
There were just the three men in the family, and almost always a dog. Enough to track in mud and bring home a frog or two…and enough to keep her busy in the kitchen when she wasn't at work, teaching music or drama, or running the high school library.
She was the patient peacemaker, and no love could be greater, than the love and patience she continually showered on all those that she met.
She was well loved by her family and her many friends, many of whom are with her now, and she was adored by the thousands of kindergarten, elementary and high school students who she taught throughout her life.
None here should carry sadness in their hearts for her for too long, however, for she lived a full and amazing life…full of travels and adventures to far off places - living in or visiting over 25 countries. Watching sunsets in Alaska and eating sauerbraten in Germany, cruising the coasts of Norway and Russia, and attending classes in New Zealand. She survived hurricanes, sinking boats, earthquakes, the Great Depression, and much more.
When she and Willis retired, they lived for several years in the lush green hills of North Carolina. How proud she was to later watch the beauty of those hills come alive in the movie "Nell." And how proud we all were of her accomplishing a small miracle, with her friend Jo Larson -- that of helping to build a brand new library in the town featured in that film, Robbinsville.
In her later years, she moved to Atlanta to live with her oldest son and daughter-in-law, and became an even more important part of their lives.
Her 80th birthday celebration just a few years ago was a tribute to her years of patient love, as her sons' families joined her in Atlanta.
And so now here we are, come to lay this grand lady to rest. It will be difficult to say goodbye, but say it we must. For she would never want us to stay sad for long. She never did, for she possessed a magical way of always being able to lighten her heart, forgive, and go on. Indeed, she was one of the most loving people, most of us have ever known.
We are here to honor, a very honorable lady…a lady full of thoughtfulness and strength of character, a lady who was always interested in others, and who was always fun to be with. A lifelong Friend - a devoted Daughter and Sister - a patient Daughter-in-law - a dear Aunt, Cousin and Teacher - a faithful and caring Wife - a loving and understanding Mother - a giving Volunteer, Women's Club, Choir and Church Member - a dear Grandmother - and a wonderful Mother-in Law.
A beautiful lady in so many ways, who shared with us her humor, her love of music and drama, her intelligence and quick wit, and her great zest for life!
Farewell. We will miss your kind face, your joy, your friendship, and your loving way. And we thank you, for all those chocolate chip cookies that you gave us both physically and spiritually, throughout your golden years.
We all love you Dear Dot, Dear Dorothea! Farewell."
(From her Eulogy - written by myself, Bill Benson)
Dorothea had many talents and many qualities. To some of us, she exemplified the beauty and style of Susan Sarandon or Grace Kelly. Her musical gifts and bright spirit remind us of Julie Andrews, who she much admired. And her humor and occasional zaniness were straight out of "I Love Lucy," and the "Carol Burnett Show."
Dot, Dotty, or Dorothea, was the center of our small family, and certainly of her husband Willis' life. He often said "how very lucky he was to have married" her.
Her boys worshiped her as well, and grew up under her loving care. She nursed them through their "skinned knee" childhood, and helped mend their "broken hearts" with kind words and freshly baked, chocolate chip cookies.
There were just the three men in the family, and almost always a dog. Enough to track in mud and bring home a frog or two…and enough to keep her busy in the kitchen when she wasn't at work, teaching music or drama, or running the high school library.
She was the patient peacemaker, and no love could be greater, than the love and patience she continually showered on all those that she met.
She was well loved by her family and her many friends, many of whom are with her now, and she was adored by the thousands of kindergarten, elementary and high school students who she taught throughout her life.
None here should carry sadness in their hearts for her for too long, however, for she lived a full and amazing life…full of travels and adventures to far off places - living in or visiting over 25 countries. Watching sunsets in Alaska and eating sauerbraten in Germany, cruising the coasts of Norway and Russia, and attending classes in New Zealand. She survived hurricanes, sinking boats, earthquakes, the Great Depression, and much more.
When she and Willis retired, they lived for several years in the lush green hills of North Carolina. How proud she was to later watch the beauty of those hills come alive in the movie "Nell." And how proud we all were of her accomplishing a small miracle, with her friend Jo Larson -- that of helping to build a brand new library in the town featured in that film, Robbinsville.
In her later years, she moved to Atlanta to live with her oldest son and daughter-in-law, and became an even more important part of their lives.
Her 80th birthday celebration just a few years ago was a tribute to her years of patient love, as her sons' families joined her in Atlanta.
And so now here we are, come to lay this grand lady to rest. It will be difficult to say goodbye, but say it we must. For she would never want us to stay sad for long. She never did, for she possessed a magical way of always being able to lighten her heart, forgive, and go on. Indeed, she was one of the most loving people, most of us have ever known.
We are here to honor, a very honorable lady…a lady full of thoughtfulness and strength of character, a lady who was always interested in others, and who was always fun to be with. A lifelong Friend - a devoted Daughter and Sister - a patient Daughter-in-law - a dear Aunt, Cousin and Teacher - a faithful and caring Wife - a loving and understanding Mother - a giving Volunteer, Women's Club, Choir and Church Member - a dear Grandmother - and a wonderful Mother-in Law.
A beautiful lady in so many ways, who shared with us her humor, her love of music and drama, her intelligence and quick wit, and her great zest for life!
Farewell. We will miss your kind face, your joy, your friendship, and your loving way. And we thank you, for all those chocolate chip cookies that you gave us both physically and spiritually, throughout your golden years.
We all love you Dear Dot, Dear Dorothea! Farewell."
(From her Eulogy - written by myself, Bill Benson)
Dorothea Marie Morrow Benson… is a hard act to follow.
Dorothea had many talents and many qualities. To some of us, she exemplified the beauty and style of Susan Sarandon or Grace Kelly. Her musical gifts and bright spirit remind us of Julie Andrews, who she much admired. And her humor and occasional zaniness were straight out of "I Love Lucy," and the "Carol Burnett Show."
Dot, Dotty, or Dorothea, was the center of our small family, and certainly of her husband Willis' life. He often said "how very lucky he was to have married" her.
Her boys worshiped her as well, and grew up under her loving care. She nursed them through their "skinned knee" childhood, and helped mend their "broken hearts" with kind words and freshly baked, chocolate chip cookies.
There were just the three men in the family, and almost always a dog. Enough to track in mud and bring home a frog or two…and enough to keep her busy in the kitchen when she wasn't at work, teaching music or drama, or running the high school library.
She was the patient peacemaker, and no love could be greater, than the love and patience she continually showered on all those that she met.
She was well loved by her family and her many friends, many of whom are with her now, and she was adored by the thousands of kindergarten, elementary and high school students who she taught throughout her life.
None here should carry sadness in their hearts for her for too long, however, for she lived a full and amazing life…full of travels and adventures to far off places - living in or visiting over 25 countries. Watching sunsets in Alaska and eating sauerbraten in Germany, cruising the coasts of Norway and Russia, and attending classes in New Zealand. She survived hurricanes, sinking boats, earthquakes, the Great Depression, and much more.
When she and Willis retired, they lived for several years in the lush green hills of North Carolina. How proud she was to later watch the beauty of those hills come alive in the movie "Nell." And how proud we all were of her accomplishing a small miracle, with her friend Jo Larson -- that of helping to build a brand new library in the town featured in that film, Robbinsville.
In her later years, she moved to Atlanta to live with her oldest son and daughter-in-law, and became an even more important part of their lives.
Her 80th birthday celebration just a few years ago was a tribute to her years of patient love, as her sons' families joined her in Atlanta.
And so now here we are, come to lay this grand lady to rest. It will be difficult to say goodbye, but say it we must. For she would never want us to stay sad for long. She never did, for she possessed a magical way of always being able to lighten her heart, forgive, and go on. Indeed, she was one of the most loving people, most of us have ever known.
We are here to honor, a very honorable lady…a lady full of thoughtfulness and strength of character, a lady who was always interested in others, and who was always fun to be with. A lifelong Friend - a devoted Daughter and Sister - a patient Daughter-in-law - a dear Aunt, Cousin and Teacher - a faithful and caring Wife - a loving and understanding Mother - a giving Volunteer, Women's Club, Choir and Church Member - a dear Grandmother - and a wonderful Mother-in Law.
A beautiful lady in so many ways, who shared with us her humor, her love of music and drama, her intelligence and quick wit, and her great zest for life!
Farewell. We will miss your kind face, your joy, your friendship, and your loving way. And we thank you, for all those chocolate chip cookies that you gave us both physically and spiritually, throughout your golden years.
We all love you Dear Dot, Dear Dorothea! Farewell."
(From her Eulogy - written by myself, Bill Benson)
Dorothea had many talents and many qualities. To some of us, she exemplified the beauty and style of Susan Sarandon or Grace Kelly. Her musical gifts and bright spirit remind us of Julie Andrews, who she much admired. And her humor and occasional zaniness were straight out of "I Love Lucy," and the "Carol Burnett Show."
Dot, Dotty, or Dorothea, was the center of our small family, and certainly of her husband Willis' life. He often said "how very lucky he was to have married" her.
Her boys worshiped her as well, and grew up under her loving care. She nursed them through their "skinned knee" childhood, and helped mend their "broken hearts" with kind words and freshly baked, chocolate chip cookies.
There were just the three men in the family, and almost always a dog. Enough to track in mud and bring home a frog or two…and enough to keep her busy in the kitchen when she wasn't at work, teaching music or drama, or running the high school library.
She was the patient peacemaker, and no love could be greater, than the love and patience she continually showered on all those that she met.
She was well loved by her family and her many friends, many of whom are with her now, and she was adored by the thousands of kindergarten, elementary and high school students who she taught throughout her life.
None here should carry sadness in their hearts for her for too long, however, for she lived a full and amazing life…full of travels and adventures to far off places - living in or visiting over 25 countries. Watching sunsets in Alaska and eating sauerbraten in Germany, cruising the coasts of Norway and Russia, and attending classes in New Zealand. She survived hurricanes, sinking boats, earthquakes, the Great Depression, and much more.
When she and Willis retired, they lived for several years in the lush green hills of North Carolina. How proud she was to later watch the beauty of those hills come alive in the movie "Nell." And how proud we all were of her accomplishing a small miracle, with her friend Jo Larson -- that of helping to build a brand new library in the town featured in that film, Robbinsville.
In her later years, she moved to Atlanta to live with her oldest son and daughter-in-law, and became an even more important part of their lives.
Her 80th birthday celebration just a few years ago was a tribute to her years of patient love, as her sons' families joined her in Atlanta.
And so now here we are, come to lay this grand lady to rest. It will be difficult to say goodbye, but say it we must. For she would never want us to stay sad for long. She never did, for she possessed a magical way of always being able to lighten her heart, forgive, and go on. Indeed, she was one of the most loving people, most of us have ever known.
We are here to honor, a very honorable lady…a lady full of thoughtfulness and strength of character, a lady who was always interested in others, and who was always fun to be with. A lifelong Friend - a devoted Daughter and Sister - a patient Daughter-in-law - a dear Aunt, Cousin and Teacher - a faithful and caring Wife - a loving and understanding Mother - a giving Volunteer, Women's Club, Choir and Church Member - a dear Grandmother - and a wonderful Mother-in Law.
A beautiful lady in so many ways, who shared with us her humor, her love of music and drama, her intelligence and quick wit, and her great zest for life!
Farewell. We will miss your kind face, your joy, your friendship, and your loving way. And we thank you, for all those chocolate chip cookies that you gave us both physically and spiritually, throughout your golden years.
We all love you Dear Dot, Dear Dorothea! Farewell."
(From her Eulogy - written by myself, Bill Benson)
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